Chapter 6: Shadows of Survival
The street was a fractured ribbon of asphalt, its cracks swallowing the dusk's fading light, casting long, distorted shadows that danced with the weak breeze.
Ash swirls lifted and settled, catching the eerie glow of a distant neon sign flickering like a dying star.
Kirito walked slightly ahead, his boots scuffing the pavement, fine sweat beading on his brow, the metallic tang of fear creeping back into his throat.
"This is ambush central. Perfect spot for some desperate player to try their luck," he thought, his fingers tightening around his phone.
[SYSTEM: ACTIVATE SKILL: LIE DETECTOR (COST: 50 SP). TARGET: LOCAL AREA THREATS. SCANNING…]
[SYSTEM: LIE DETECTOR ALERT: HOSTILE PLAYER INTENT DETECTED. TWO SIGNATURES, FLANKING POSITIONS (ALLEY/STOREFRONT). RECOMMENDATION: EVASION.]
No time to warn them verbally—his pulse spiked, his voice sharp.
"Get down!"
He pivoted, shoving Arisu and Usagi hard as two figures emerged from the gloom, their knives glinting in the neon's flicker, their shouts guttural and wild.
The ambushers were textbook Borderland desperation—greasy with sweat, their eyes wide with survival-driven malice, their movements erratic but deadly.
Kirito sidestepped the first swing, his heart pounding, but the System's penalty hit like a brick.
[SYSTEM: DEBUFF TRIGGER: OVER-EXERTION PENALTY. STAMINA TEMPORARILY REDUCED BY 10% (15S). STATUS: LIGHT FATIGUE.]
His foot dragged, a stumble that cost him balance, the second attacker's rusty blade snagging his jacket, tearing it with a loud shreeek.
"Wardrobe malfunction? Now?"
The attackers pressed forward, surging toward Arisu, who scrambled back, his charcoal-dusted hands fumbling for anything to defend himself.
Before Kirito could recover, Kuina moved, slipping behind the group like a shadow, her lean frame a blur as she slammed into the second attacker.
Her back-heel kick caught him under the jaw, a sharp crack echoing as his head snapped back, his knife clattering to the pavement.
"No touchy, creep!" she yelled, her grin flashing even in the chaos, fierce and unyielding.
Kirito shook off the fatigue, grabbing a loose piece of rebar from the ground, its weight cold and grounding.
"Nice save, champ! Keep the merchandise safe!"
He charged the first attacker, swinging the rebar with desperate force, the impact sending the man staggering back.
The attackers, overwhelmed, retreated into the shadows, their curses fading with the ash.
The team stood panting, the street quiet again, the neon's hum softer now, almost mocking.
"Let's go," Usagi commanded, her voice steady despite the adrenaline.
"I know a derelict apartment nearby. We can recover there."
The ground-floor apartment was a husk, its walls cracked and peeling, but its corner was clean enough to huddle in, the faint tick of their Visa wristbands the loudest sound in the dim space.
Kirito leaned against a wall, his torn jacket hanging like a badge of failure.
"See? No big deal, just a little excitement," he said, forcing a grin.
He turned to Kuina, attempting a casual lean.
"Thanks for the save. I owe you a—"
He tried a wink, his charm reflex kicking in.
[SYSTEM: DEBUFF TRIGGER: FAILED FLIRT. 'WINK' MECHANIC REACTIVATED. COOLDOWN: 60S.]
The wink became a frantic blink, his face scrunching again.
Kuina's laughter rang out, unrestrained and throaty.
"Oh, stop! You're having a breakdown! You're a walking glitch, flirt!"
Kirito checked his phone, his cheeks still burning.
[SYSTEM: TOTAL SP: 150 (200 - 50 LIE DETECTOR = 150 SP).]
Arisu hunched over his sketchbook, his voice low, his fingers smudging charcoal.
"The Beach… it's a commune. A trap. A cult. They'll use us, turn us into lambs for the next face card game."
Kuina nudged his shoulder with her foot, her voice dry but kind.
"Hey, Sketch-pad. The real trap's your brain right now. And you," she pointed at Kirito's shredded sleeve, "fix your jacket, flirt. You look like a ragged pigeon. We'll handle the cult when we get there."
Kirito sighed, meeting their eyes, his voice steadying.
"She's right. We need info and a break. We go in, we blend, we scout. No heroics. Promise. Together."
A quiet agreement settled, their bond forged tighter by the ambush's chaos.
They slipped out of the hideout, the neon hum less hostile now, the dawn light glinting as they approached the Beach's street.
The music was soft but persistent, a low electronic thrum pulsing from the complex, its lights a seductive glow against the sand-strewn pavement.
"Okay, let's map this out. System, give me the layout," Kirito murmured, angling his phone.
[SYSTEM: QUERY: INITIATE 'SCOUT SURROUNDINGS' PUZZLE? (COST: 0 SP).]
[SYSTEM: PUZZLE INITIATED: MAPS BEACH ENTRY POINTS AND VISIBLE SECURITY ZONES. PROCESSING…]
Usagi crossed her arms, her voice sharp.
"It's too open. A lure. A place that promises safety is the deadliest."
Arisu nodded, his eyes dark.
"A sanctuary's just a trap with better lighting."
[SYSTEM: PUZZLE COMPLETED. MAP RENDERED: THREE VEHICULAR ENTRY POINTS, ONE SERVICE TUNNEL. SYSTEM NOTE: 3♣ GAME WIN SP CONFIRMED: 30 SP.]
[SYSTEM: TOTAL SP: 180.]
Kirito straightened, his wry grin returning.
"We know it's a trap, but we need supplies and a breather. We're four. Party or peril, we go in ready for peril."
Their resolve solidified, the dawn's glow warming their skin as they stepped onto the soft sand, the Beach's music growing louder, pulling them toward its promise and its danger.
Love [ Im In Alice In Borderland ]? Unlock More Chapters and Support the Story!
Dive deeper into the world of [ Im In Alice In Borderland ] with exclusive access to 35+ chapters on my Patreon, plus new fanfic every week! Your support starting at just $5/month helps me keep crafting the stories you love across epic universes like [Grimm, Teen Wolf ,blacklist,Game Of Throne ,MCU and Arrowverse].
By joining, you're not just getting more chapters—you're helping me bring new worlds, twists, and adventures to life. Every pledge makes a huge difference!
👉 Join now at patreon.com/TheFinex5 and start reading today!